Bronson Xerri: Cronulla stars NRL career could be over before it even begins
Almost a year to the day after he cried tears of joy ahead of his NRL debut, budding Cronulla superstar Bronson Xerri’s rugby league career is in the balance.
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Just over 12-months ago, Bronson Xerri broke down in tears.
The video of the Sharks rookie, hands over his eyes, as head coach John Morris told the teenager he would be making his NRL debut went viral.
A half a million people viewed the video, cheering and fist-pumping for a teenager they didn’t even know, but could see a boyhood dream was being realised.
The dream for the 19-year-old is now a nightmare.
And those same viewers are now shaking their head in shock and disbelief.
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A hidden camera caught the moment coach John Morris told Bronson Xerri he will become Shark 529 and make his NRL debut this Saturday night. See his reaction and his phone call with his Mum
— Cronulla Sharks (@Cronulla_Sharks) April 2, 2019
WATCH NOW
âž¡ï¸ // https://t.co/VkN8Igb3Wk#UpUpCronulla pic.twitter.com/vYLSF1m6dD
With the world at his feet, Xerri’s NRL career is on the verge of being shattered after a cocktail of banned substances delivered a positive test from ASADA.
As he awaits confirmation of his B-sample, Xerri is gripped by the reality of a possible four-year suspension as a professional athlete.
An enormous talent with blinding pace, Xerri represented every possible jumper as a junior, including the Junior Kangaroos and NSW under-18s and 20s.
He was on a collision course with the Blues this year, according to many of the game’s best judges and is part in-reason why he knocked back a contract offer in February from the Sharks to extend his future at the club that felt the local junior was the next Andrew Ettingshausen.
He would be worth more as an Origin player.
To say the shocking news came as a surprise to Xerri’s Cronulla teammates, coaching staff and management, is an understatement.
Club staffers said Morris went white when receiving the news.
It’s a sad story that began with tears and could end the same way.